PROLOGUE!
"this is what i get for dating a poor person"

THERE WERE ABSOLUTELY NO WORDS in the english language (or any language really) to even attempt to describe how pissed off Camila was.

Oh if looks could kill... Ryan Lewis would be a dead man right now.

When she first heard he was planning on ditching her to spend his summer as a camp counselor, she thought he was joking around. Only, he never laughed.

If she was being honest, Camila didn't see the appeal. Personally, she would never be caught dead in the woods camping, like ever. Yet tragically, it seemed to be Ryan's thing.

The Richards girl always did consider herself to be a hopeless romantic. Majority of her childhood days were spent watching whatever latest rom com had her hooked (she could actually quote the entirety of Clueless if you asked her) and imagining what her future relationship would be like when she finally found her soulmate. Her prince charming.

And she could almost say with certainty that Ryan was that person.

The day he first showed up in Beacon Hills would be a memory that never left her mind. It was freshman year, he had just moved from Australia and within seconds had over half the girls in their grade falling at his feet.

The first thing she remembers was smelling his cologne. He was wearing Le Lion De Chanel — a $460 bottle that she had the pleasure of picking out for her uncle a couple months prior. She made a mental note about them having the same taste.

It only took a week of small talk before he finally asked her out right at the end of the school day. She spent the rest of the day squealing with Lydia and rummaging through her closet desperately trying to find an outfit cute enough.

Months went by, they went official with their relationship and were instantly named the cutest couple in Beacon Hills — shortly after was when Camila found out the truth.

See, the Lewis family was what she'd call... financially challenged. Ryan told her they'd been living paycheck to paycheck (whatever that meant) ever since his mom lost her job a couple years ago. The cologne she smelled on him all that time ago had been a Christmas gift from his dad's boss and he didn't even know how much it cost until she told him. Camila still remembers the worried look on his face after he came clean, almost like he was preparing for her to leave him — but she couldn't end things. It was too late, she had already fallen for him.

Ryan was the first boy she ever said I love you to. and that meant something to her.

Sure, these last few months have been tough, but every couple has their rough patches — and Camila has no doubt in her mind they will make it though.

And so almost a full year later, here she was, sat on Ryan's bed glaring at him as he packed his stuff. She rolled her eyes as he seemed to be going through a mental checklist to ensure nothing was left behind. Funny, since he seemed to have no issue leaving his own girlfriend behind.

"Do you have to go for like, the whole summer?"

Camila sits up from laying down, resting her back on the pillows behind her. Those were the first words that had been exchanged between the two in the past hour. When she found out he was leaving, they got into a huge fight and Camila had tried everything to convince him to stay, yet sadly nothing seemed to work.

The last thing she attempted was the silent treatment, which was extremely difficult for her considering the fact Camila was always talking, but she figured that would get the point across and he'd change his mind... guess she thought wrong.

Ryan sighed, stopping his actions and turning to look at his girlfriend. "Yeah, I kinda do. It's a job, the requirement being that I'm there and do my work."

"I can't believe you. This is our first summer as a real couple, and you're running off and leaving me."

"We've been dating all year—"

"Oh my god, do you even listen when I speak?" Camila interrupts, "I said summer Ryan. Who am I supposed to go shopping with? Or to the movies with? Who's gonna accompany me to parties?"

Ryan wanted so badly to shout "I don't care!" as loud as he could, but he knew all that would do is start another argument. He was not in the mood for that again.

"Uhhh... Lydia?"

Camila scoffed at this, not normally her response to hanging out with Lydia, but things have changed since she got a new boyfriend. "Who will no doubt be attached to Jackson's hip. I am not going to be a third wheel, especially with Jackson Whittlemore."

It's no secret that Camila absolutely despises Jackson. She tried her best to hide her distaste around Lydia, attempting to be supportive, but Camila was about as subtle as throwing a brick through a window.

"You act like you don't have other friends."

Ryan instantly regretted his words as soon as he said them, looking over to see a sad look pass over Camila's face. But just quick as it was there, it went away — like she was still afraid to show emotion around her own boyfriend.

She doesn't really... have any real friends besides Lydia and well, maybe you could count Ryan too. Being popular doesn't always mean that people genuinely like you.

It's not like Camila actually worked hard at getting people to like her, so in a way, it was her own fault. But who cares, as long as they worshiped and feared her, who needed real friends? She had Lydia and Ryan, and that was all she needed. Yet, it felt like they were both moving on and doing other things without her, and that scared her.

The silence was too awkward, so Ryan spoke up with an offer, "Well, you could come with me?"

Please say no, please say no... He secretly thought. He loved Camila, he loved dating her and being around her (he thinks?) but he really, really just needed a break from her for a while... a long while... and this was the perfect excuse.

"Ew! Me in the woods for weeks on end, surrounded by disgusting snotty children? Pass. The compromise should be that you just quit and stay home."

And she's back! Ryan thought, it hadn't taken her long to bounce back and start demanding things, it's something Ryan liked about her, but also something he hated.

"I need the money Cam."

"Oh trust me, I know. I can tell just by looking at this place." She glances around her boyfriend's room, almost sad at how little space there was, catching the look Ryan was giving her. "What? I'm being honest, and we said we'd never lie to each other."

To Camila, there were just funny little comments, but to Ryan they irritated him a lot. It's not the first time she's made fun of how little money his family has, and he knew it definitely wouldn't be the last.

"I have to go. So can you just stop being such a brat?" He finally snapped.

Camila was surprised that he got so angry, but refused to let it show on her face. Leaning back against the bed, she mutters, "Whatever. This is what I get for dating a poor person."

Ryan started to feel sorry for snapping at her, seeing how she was refusing to meet his eyes right now. He paused packing for a moment, sitting down on his bed in front of her and grabbing her hand.

"Look, you know ever since my mom lost her job, I have to start picking up the slack. Meaning I need to start helping out if I'm going to be able to pay for college. That's why I need to take this job."

He had hoped that by finally telling her the truth (well, partial truth) about why he was going, she may actually cut him some slack.

"Why are you thinking about college now? We literally just finished freshman year."

As usual, Ryan thought wrong.

"Cause, if I don't think about it now, I may not be able to go!" He let go of her hand, getting up from the bed and was trying not to get angry again. "People actually have to work for things in life. Not everyone gets stuff just handed to them."

Now, as much as he would hate to admit it, Ryan was jealous of Camila's money a lot of the time. He'd never say that out loud though.

Camila rolled her eyes at this. She knew he was taking a jab at her with that last comment, but it didn't bother her. "I know, that must suck for normal people. I totally pity them."

"You're impossible."

"I'm just..." She pauses, choking up a little, "I'll miss you a lot Ry."

That was new for her. Instead of trying to fight with him, (for the third time now) she was actually being nice and clear with how she was feeling. This version of Camila was sort of foreign to Ryan, he didn't get to see this side of her often, or ever really.

"I'll miss you too."

It wasn't a lie... but it wasn't the truth either. Sure he would miss her, but the thought of two whole Camila free months sounded great to him.

"Promise to call me, like everyday." She realized her error and how busy he was probably gonna be. Would there even be cell service where he was going? "Or as often as you can, I guess."

Ryan smiles at her, grabbing her hand and pulling her from the bed so that he could kiss her.

"I promise." He says between their kisses, "I love you."

As he was holding her in his arms at the moment, it made him remember why he asked her out in the first place. At most times, she was a lot, but he figured it was worth it for moments like this.

She grins up at him. "I love you too."

Camila's phone buzzes, interrupting their moment together and making her silently curse whoever had messaged her just now. She groans as she reaches for her phone in her skirt pocket, making Ryan chuckle.

He rests his chin on her head, looking down at her phone as she unlocks it. "Who's that?"

"My mom, she's asking me to come home." She tells him. "Let me reply back saying I'm with you and I'll be back later."

He drops his arms from her, Camila already missing the feeling of them around her. "No it's okay, go."

She glares up at him, slightly baffled that he would even suggest that. "Are you kidding me? This is our last day together. I'll see my mom everyday."

"And I'll see you in two months." He quickly cuts her off with another kiss, before she could argue with him again, "Camila, it's okay."

Camila sighs, knowing he had a point. Deciding not to fight him on this, she grabs her things and starts to head out. "Okay, have fun playing survivor in the woods. I'll talk to you soon."

"I'll call you as soon as I get there." He promises.

She pauses at the door frame, turning back around and jokes, "Don't forget about me."

"Please, that's impossible."

🤍

While Camila drove back to her house, her mind was on what could have possibly been so important that her mother needed her home right away.

As much as she wanted to be annoyed, (though she still was) part of her was a little nervous. She couldn't quite explain why, it was just a weird feeling she had.

Unfortunately for her, she forgot that bad things always came in three's. Ryan leaving, this bad feeling she had and now she was so wrapped up in her thoughts... she hadn't been paying attention to the speed limit, or rather how over the speed limit she was going.

"Shit!"

It was too late to slow down, she could already hear the sirens approaching. Camila groaned and reluctantly pulled over. While putting the car in park, she began to go over excuses in her head that would hopefully result in her not getting a speeding ticket.

I'm way too pretty to get in trouble with the Law, so please forget about this.

Okay, look how much do I need to pay you for this to go away?

Hey! I—

A knock at the driver's side window pulled Camila from her thoughts. Slowly, she rolls down the window and flashes the officer her best smile.

"Hi Sir Sheriff. Look, I promise I literally never speed, like ever. My head is just all out of whack today."

Sheriff Noah Stilinski gives the girl a weird look as she rambles on. He's heard many, many excuses when people try to get let off with just a warning, but that was definitely the most common one.

"I understand. It's the first day of summer, Kids your age are all excited, but you still need to pay attention to your surroundings."

"No, yes! I completely understand sir."

Oh my god! Stiles thought as he watched this interaction take place from the passenger seat of his father's vehicle. He had spent years and years trying to get Camila's attention, and here she was only a few feet away (technically because she had to be, getting pulled over for speeding and all but let's ignore that...) and Stiles had never felt more confident to finally make his move.

Wasting no time, the boy quickly yanked open the door (but not before checking himself out in the side view mirror first) so fast, he fell over onto the road. Luckily neither of them caught that, so he dusted off his clothes and marched over.

"Hey! Hi! How— how's it going? My name is—"

"Stiles!" Noah turns to his son, the anger and annoyance evident in his voice. "I told you to wait in the car."

"Yeah, but I just wanted to see how things were going over here... make sure everything's good."

"Go away."

"I—"

"Look, can you please just not give me a ticket?" Camila interrupts, obviously sensing a fight possibly happening and she honestly couldn't care less, "I'm begging. My dad will actually go capital I insane if he finds out about this."

"I don't know if I can do that—"

"Dad!" Stiles shouted while glancing at the man with wide eyes. "Can I talk to you for a moment, over there?"

Noah groaned, but decided to play along with whatever his Stiles wanted. The Sheriff turns back to Camila with an apologetic look on his face, "One second please."

The Richards girl flashes the man a fake smile and watches while he goes over to talk with whoever the other boy was, cursing herself internally for getting into this mess.

"Yes of course, go have a private conversation right now! Not like I have anything better to do than just sit here in this car and wait." She mutters to herself.

"What is it now?" Noah questions Stiles, unbelievably irritated about getting pulled away from doing his job.

"Please don't give that girl a ticket. I'm begging you."

A look of curiosity crosses the man's face, as he stares at his son. He turns back to look at the girl, watching as she seemed to be looking at herself in the reflection of her phone screen. "Why?"

"Just please, trust me. My life will be over if you get her in trouble."

"Stiles—"

"Dad." Stiles says softly. "Please."

Noah sighs, running his hands across his face as he thinks it over. Just by looking at his kid, he could tell how serious it was and how much this meant to him (he doesn't understand why, but oh well) so reluctantly, he turned around to let the girl go.

"You're killing me kid."

Stiles grins, patting his dad on the shoulder as he walks away. "You are the best dad in the whole world. Thank you! Thank you, thank you!"

"You're free to go." He pauses, turning back around to make one more comment, "Just don't be driving that fast again."

Camila gives him a smile (a real one this time) along with a thumbs up before turning her gaze over to her saviour.

"Oh my god, thank you so much!"

Stiles tried his best to act all nonchalant, but anyone with eyes could see how nervous and happy he was. "It's all good, you just have to know how to talk to and handle these cops, you know."

Camila glances up and down at the boy, and finds herself questioning his motives. She's sure she's never seen him before, and he's probably never seen her. "Why'd you help me out? I mean, I guess you sorta look like the person who'd help a complete stranger."

"Uh... we aren't— we aren't strangers."

"We aren't?"

"You go to my school, or... I go to your school?"

He says the last part more like a question and begins to attempt figuring out which of those statements was the correct one.

Camila covers her mouth as she watches him obviously trying to work out which phrase he wanted to use, trying not to laugh at him. The boy had just gotten her out of a speeding ticket and saved her from the wrath of her father, the least she could do was talk with the boy for a few moments.

"We go to each other's school." Stiles finally concluded.

"Are you new?"

"No, we've been going to the same school since kindergarten."

Camila makes an "o" face, looking down at her nails in an attempt to hide how uncomfortable this conversation was getting. "Oh.... well this just got legit super awkward."

"No it's okay," Stiles quickly says, clearly seeing that he had lost her attention. "Not a lot of people notice me. I'm very unnoticeable."

But it was too late, she was already placing the key in the ignition and beginning to turn her car back on. She looked more than ready to leave.

"Thanks again for the help, and totally say hi if you see me in the halls or something!"

"Y— yeah! I'll be sure to—"

Camila raced off before Stiles could finish his sentence, leaving him standing there dumbfounded as he watched the car get smaller and smaller the further away it got.

Noah, who had been not so secretly listening in from a few feet away, walks back over to Stiles. He placed a hand on his shoulder while watching the car drive away.

"So, who was that?"

"Your future daughter in law." Stiles answered, still in a trance.

Noah cringed and patted his son's shoulder. "Well she's... charming."

🤍

"Whoa! What are you doing just lurking here like that? You almost gave me a heart attack."

The last thing Camila expected was to be welcomed right at the door by her dad the literal second she walked in.

Joseph Richards stood in the foyer watching his daughter dramatically clutch her heart with her hands, all he hoped was she couldn't see the nervous look on his face. "Sorry sweetie. How's Ryan doing?"

"He's good. I'm still mad at him for ditching me, but I'll get over it." Camila pauses before adding, "If I feel like it."

"Come into the living room, you're mother's waiting."

He steps back and gestures for her to walk ahead, which she does, still unaware of how anxious the man looked.

Sabrina looked like she was gonna pass out any moment, playing with her hands in hopes to calm her nerves. However, the second she heard voices from the front door, she quickly sat up in an attempt to hide this.

"Camila, honey... sit down for a moment."

Camila definitely felt the weird vibe going on with her parents now, but she had no idea why. As she sat on the couch across from her mother, she watched the woman exchange glances with Joseph, who was still standing in the doorway.

"Oh wow, you guys look legit serious..." Camila pauses, finally realizing there must be only one reason why they were acting this way, "Wait, am I not getting the puppy I wanted for my birthday?"

If Sabrina had it in her right now, she would have laughed at how naïve her child was. "No honey, that's not it."

Joseph moved over and sat next to his wife, leaning over as he whispered in her ear. "I didn't wanna tell her now. It's way too soon."

"Joseph, we unfortunately don't have a choice."

"Yeah but she's so young—"

"I started training when I was four, so did my siblings, and so did you."

"Can someone please explain to me what's happening?" Camila yells, "You two are freaking me out."

"We need to tell you something."

A chill went down her spine as she watched her mother speak those words, this entire conversation will be getting to rub her the complete wrong way.

Now, Camila doesn't get scared very often, (total lie) and neither do her parents, so whatever it was that was making them act this way... she didn't even know if she wanted to know, but it was clear she had no choice.

The Richards girl leans forward in her seat. "Okay, what about?"

A moment of silence passed over the three of them again, Sabrina must have thought over how to break this news to her daughter hundreds of times over the years, and now that the time was finally here, she couldn't seem to find the words.

It takes another moment before she finally says, "It's about you."

author's note.
um i kinda hate this but i promised myself no longer over thinking and stressing over my writing so this is getting published anyways!! 75% of this was written months ago

jacob elordi is australian irl if you didn't know so ryan is also australian because i said so, read his lines in an accent tyvm

and well genuine question is anyone actually shipping rymila over stamila rn